KEY STAGE 4 PATHWAYS EVENING February 26 th 2015

This evening… Mrs J MorganAssistant Head Teacher Mr J RyanHead of Sixth Form Mr I CarterHead of Year In the canteen, G1 and G2 you will find members of staff ready to answer any of your questions, and provide information about each subject choice.

Changes to KS4 Curriculum in Wales  Qualifications have changed The bar has been raised!  New GCSE’s in English Language, Numeracy and Mathematics  New Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification for students at Key Stage 4

New GCSE’s in Numeracy and Mathematics  All students will study for both GCSE’s  GCSE Mathematics-Numeracy  GCSE Mathematics

New GCSE’s in Numeracy and Mathematics GCSE Mathematics - Numeracy  Will build on and progress from the levels of numeracy expected at the end of Key Stage 3  Will assess the mathematics that students will need in their everyday lives (applying skills)  Will focus on applying mathematical concepts to everyday situations

New GCSE’s in Numeracy and Mathematics GCSE Mathematics  Will extend to aspects of mathematics needed for progression to scientific, technical or further mathematical study  Will focus on mathematical concepts and procedures

New GCSE’s in English  All students will study for both GCSE’s  GCSE English Language (new)  GCSE English Literature (amended)

New GCSE’s in English and Literacy  Skills for the English Language GCSE will be taught through delivery of the Literature GCSE  More focus on functional skills in English Language  More examination based

New Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification  Skills challenge Certificate = 1 GCSE  Developing and applying skills  Supporting qualifications  English Language GCSE  Mathematics – Numeracy GCSE  3 other qualifications (2 can be vocational) Please watch this short video about WBQ

What does this mean? What does this mean for the KS4 Curriculum at St Joseph’s RC High School?  More time is needed for Mathematics  Two additional hours per fortnight  Dedicated WBQ lessons  Three hours per fortnight

Pathways Forms

Pathways Forms - Compulsory Subjects The subjects in the Common Core box are compulsory pathway options and will be taken by all students

Pathways Forms – Option Blocks  3 option blocks rather than 4  Never been more important to get decisions right

The right choice… Please watch this short video of our students. Their view points and advice might answer some of your questions.

Make the right choice for the right reason Grades count, rather than subjects  B grade in English Language and Mathematics-Numeracy is needed for teaching However there are exceptions:  Advised to take STEM subjects for engineering  Science, Technology, Mathematics  For medicine you need either Triple Science or Double Science (Core and Additional)  Two similar traditional subjects are fine eg. Geography and History

Make the right choice for the right reason  Vocational courses are not always a pathway to A Level in that subject  Your A Level choices will generally come from your GCSE choices  For employment ensure a range of subjects

What support is available?  Activities in PSE  Form tutors  Individual meetings with senior staff  Sample lessons and activities  Information from older students  Careers advisor

Key Dates…  Pathways Evening  Friday 27 th February Reports sent out  Wed 4 th March Parents Evening (Pathways forms will be distributed)  Pathways forms to be submitted between: 8am Wed 25 th March & 4pm Fri 27 th March

How can parents/carers help?  Listening  Research assistant  Expert finder “My parents taught me how to listen to everybody before I made up my own mind. When you listen, you learn...” Steven Spielberg

Take your time and listen to advice… “Choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” Aristotle

Submission dates  Pathways form handed out at Parents’ Evening: Wednesday 4 th MARCH 2015  Must be completed then submitted between: 8am on Wednesday 25 th MARCH and 4pm on Friday 27 th MARCH 2015 THESE DATES ARE NOT FLEXIBLE

Take your time and listen to advice… “We all make choices, but in the end, our choices make us” Ken Levine

Over to you… Canteen  Staff from all subject areas New subjects  G1 = Sociology  G2 = Business  Presentations at: 6.00pm, 6.20pm, 6.40pm, 7.00pm, 7.20pm and 7.40pm

Remember… Listen to advice get the balance right pick a subject you enjoy OVER TO YOU… “We are our choices.” Jean Paul Sartre